The impact of the Dublin system on states at the EU’s external borders

Far from promoting inter-state solidarity, a long-standing EU goal, the Dublin system shifts responsibility for refugee protection toward the newer Member States in Europe's southern and eastern regions.

In 2005, every border state except Estonia reported more incoming than outgoing transfers, and of the non-border Member States, only Austria reported more incoming than outgoing transfers.

The Dublin system has a relatively small net effect on the EU's wealthier, interior Member States: Germany, for example, saw a net outflow of thirty-two asylum seekers due to Dublin transfers in 2005.

By contrast, the effect on the often less wealthy ‘border' Member States can be significant: in 2005, Dublin transfers increased Hungary's asylum caseload by nearly 10%, and Poland's by nearly 20%. Actually carrying out all agreed transfers would have more than doubled this impact.